The Pine Plains Central School District is seeking its community's support for a 2.82 percent increase to its budget for the upcoming 2018-19 school year.

The proposed budget of $32.5 million — up from $31.6 million last year — doesn't include many significant additions to the district but, Superintendent Martin Handler said, it will allow them "to maintain our existing programs, which are strong."

"When we go through the budget planning process, the budget has to be balanced," Handler said. "We were able to stay within our 4 percent unallocated reserve and stay under the tax cap."

Why there's an increase in spending

In the school district budget newsletter, Handler said the increase in spending was the result of "negotiated employee benefits."

Pine Plains is planning to add three new school buses, the largest of which seats 65 passengers, at an estimated cost of $251,982.

The budget carries a tax levy of $23,035,043, an increase of 2.15 percent from last year, and falls under the tax cap.

If the budget is rejected

If the budget is rejected, the district may go to a $32 million budget that would increase spending 1.38 percent.

The district's estimated 6,000 voters also will be asked to vote for the four seats on the Board of Education. The candidates — Anne K. Arent, Heidi Johnson, Joseph Kiernan and Jean Stapf — are incumbent members seeking re-election for the three-year terms.

Eligible voters within the district can cast their ballot on May 15 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School in Pine Plains.